Here is “Retiring Supreme Court justice began career in Lansing.“
Justice Michael Cavanagh
Michigan SCT Justice Mike Cavanagh OpEd: “Inaugural tribal-state court forum addresses child welfare issues”
Justice Cavanagh’s op/ed is available here.
An excerpt:
Our inaugural Tribal State Federal Judicial Forum meeting this week focused on issues of Indian child welfare, on outlining the scope of the Forum’s work, and on organizing our leadership. We examined what forums in other states are doing to find examples of best practices and innovations. Also, we delved into the ICWA as the “gold standard,” as well as the importance of judicial leadership and collaboration.
Because we can’t know where we should be headed if we don’t know where we are now, the Forum also received updates on Michigan Indian child welfare data, and child welfare services and resources from the State Court Administrative Office.
Most importantly, the Forum finalized our Naakonigewin, or Charter, which defines our make-up, appointment process, and governance. The Charter will not only solidify and formalize a valuable, long-standing relationship, but it also will lay the groundwork for future collaborations among the courts. The Charter will guarantee that while the names may change, the mission will continue.
As we opened our meeting with a traditional tribal pipe ceremony and drums, I had the honor of sharing some reflections on my lifelong commitment to improving relations between our sovereign governments and our people. I am also excited to hand over my role as Supreme Court Tribal Liaison Justice to the Forum to Justice Bridget McCormack. I have no doubt she will bring even more passion and dedication to the task.
I am positive that the Forum, under the guidance of Justice McCormack, its tribal and state judge co-chairs, and the participation of many of the state’s and tribes’ most dedicated jurists, will continue to find common ground to accomplish wonderful things for all our children. The measure of our success will be reflected in strong relationships, linking our peoples, learning from the lessons of the past and leading our children to a better future.
Introducing Michigan Supreme Court Candidate Bridget Mary McCormack
Introducing Michigan Supreme Court Candidate Bridget Mary McCormack
Bridget Mary McCormack is a candidate for the Michigan Supreme Court. She says she is running because she believes our judicial system should give everyone a fair shake, and that she aims to restore public confidence in the Michigan Supreme Court. She appears on the non-partisan section of the November 6 ballot.
By way of background, Bridget spent her early legal career trying cases the Legal Aid Society and with New York’s Office of the Appellate Defender, handling over 1,000 cases for individual clients in the trial and appellate courts. In 1996, she became a faculty fellow at the Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1998, she joined the University of Michigan Law School faculty and made Michigan her permanent home. For the past 14 years McCormack has conducted and supervised many types of litigation, at all levels of state and federal courts in Michigan. She has also created and expanded the Law School’s legal clinics, including clinics for victims of domestic violence, for children with health problems, and a clinic to assist victims of human trafficking, among others.
McCormack has been widely recognized for her commitment to justice for everyone. In 2010, she won the prestigious Justice for All Award, and in 2011, the Washtenaw County Bar Association recognized her with its Patriot Award. Most recently, she has been named the recipient of Thomas M. Cooley Law School Review 2012 Distinguished Brief Award.
She is nominated by the Michigan Democratic Party, and has been endorsed by many organizations and individuals, including both the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. She received the “highest rating” by the Lansing Association for Human Rights. Her many supporters include Judge Tim Connors and Chairman (Ret.) Derek Bailey. McCormack has a special interest in tribal issues, and her candidacy was recently covered in the Win Awenen Nisitotong. In the words of Judge Connors, one of her mentors: “Bridget Mary McCormack will continue the advocacy of Justice Michael Cavanagh’s respect for tribal sovereignty, self determination, and state court compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.”
According to McCormack’s campaign, she is guided by a view of the judicial branch once articulated by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who said that the courtroom is one place where fairness should trump strength, and where being right should matter more than being popular or powerful. More information about her candidacy can be found at www.mccormackforjustice.com and www.facebook.com/mccormackforjustice.
Turtle Talk 